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Aug. 20, 1929. v. P. WRITER TAM PRESS ING MACHINE Filed Nov. 23, 1928 a .5 'fla lllll ll 4 VE T0 4222)" Mi er BY W A T TORNE Y Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES VICTOR P. WRITER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TAM-PBESSING MAUHIN E.

Application filed November 23, 1928. Serial No. 321,360.

This invention relates generally to tams for girls and has more particular reference to a method and machine for blocking the same.

The invention has for an object the provision of a method for, and machine for the manufacture of one piece tams, said machine being of simple durable construction, desirable inuse and efiicient in action, and can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

The invention proposes the use of a press having a spring holding disc connected with a foot pedal'for assuming various positions, and springs connected with the disc and with a movable die engageable in a stationary cupshaped die. Use is also made of a circular plate with a radial slot made of flexible material such as spring steel for receiving the tam goods which is spread over one side and the edges then pulled thru a central aperture in the movable die. The said movable die may be provided with heating elements and the tam goods must be in a wetted condition when worked upon.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advanta es thereof, reference will be had to the ollowing description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 1s a vertical sectional view of a device constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is an elevatlonal view of the circular plate used in the device.

Fig. 5 is a pers ective view showing goods ap lied on t e circular plate an the move le die.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a movable d1e constructed according to modified form.

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a table upon which a stationary cupshaped die 11 rests. This stationar die consists of a flat base 12 surrounded by a vertical flange 13, and legs 14 project downwards from the flat base. The flange 13 is provided with a pluralit of slots 15 extending the complete height 0 the flange.

A movable die plate 16 is formed with a central aperture 17 and is adapted for engaging within the stationary cup-shaped die tam thru 11. A plurality of studs 18 project from the top of the die 16 and spring support ln s 19 w1t h slots 20 engage upon the studs and are held in place by wing nuts 21.

Sprlngs 22 are attached to the bottom sides of the lugs 19 and pass thru apertures 23 in the table and at their lower ends are attached on a spring holding disc 24. The wing nuts may be loosened upon the studs so that the spring lugs 19 may he slipped out of engagement with the studs 18 permitting the removal of thedie plate 16. The studs 18 are so arranged that the spring lugs are aligned with the slots 15 when the movable die 16 is engaged in the stationary die.

A flexible cable 25 is attached at one end on the bottom of the spring holding disc 24 and at its other end on the rear end of a foot pedal 26. This foot pedal is connected at its front end onto the floor by a universal joint 27. A large post 28 is positioned on one side of the foot pedal and is provided with a screw 29 rotatively mounted and supporting a hook 30 which projects thru a slot 31 in the post. The screw 29 may be rotated for changing the position of the hook.

A small post 32 is positioned on the opposite side of the foot pedal and is provided with a screw 33 rotatively mounted and supporting a hook 34 projecting out of the slot 35 1n the 0st. The hooks 30 and 34 are at different eights as seen in Fig. 1.

A circular plate 36 provided with a radial slot 37 and made from spring steel material or other stiff and bendable material is of a size slightly smaller than the movable die 16. Wetted tam goods 38 is engaged over this circular plate 36 and the ends 39 of the tam goods passed thru the movable die 16 as seen in Fig. 5. The die 16 is next placed within the stationary die 11 so that the tam goods 38 is positioned between two dies. The plate 36 serves as a shaping element to prevent the contraction of the outer marginal edge of the article being formed. This plate or shaping element has a diameter much larger than that of the opening 17 and approximately the same as the diameter of the upper male die, whereby the outer edge of the shaping element, when in use, is disposed adjacent to the outer edge of the male die. By this arrangement, the major portion of the upper layer of the material is subjected to the action of the upper male die.

Then the In 19 are clamped in place upon the movable d1e 16 and the foot pedal 26 de pressed and slightly swung to one side for engaging it'beneath the hook 30. In this condition of the device the springs 22 are in stretched position and exert pressure upon the tam goods for molding it into shape. If it is found that for the particular goods used a larger pressure is necessary the foot pedal could be moved in the opposite lateral direction for engaging beneath hook 34. It is pointed out that the hook 34 is lower than the hook 30 and therefore a greater stress exists within the springs 22.

In the modified form of the device illustrated in Fig. 6 a movable die 16 has been illustrated with a heating unit 40 mounted thereon. Preferably, this heating unit consists of a gas pipe with gas burners though an electrical heating unit may be used instead. Application of heat to the die during the molding of the tam goods aids in the rapidity of the molding action and also aids in better molding. After the tam goods 38 is removed from the machine the circular plate 36 may be disengaged therefrom by first pulling up one corner of the disc adjacent the radial slot 37 and then turning the remainder of the disc out of the tam goods.

While 1 have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming-within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus-described my invention, what 'I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. A'die for blocking tams, comprising a plate die plate, a flexible plate with a radial cut, and a cup-shaped die plate for receiving the said die plate and flexible plate.

2. A die for blocking tams, comprising a plate die plate with heater elements, a flexible plate with a radial cut, and a cup-shaped die plate for receiving the said die plate and flexible plate.

3. A die for blocking tams comprising a plate die plate with heater elements, a flexile plate with a radial cut for providing a core upon which tam material is placed, the said first mentioned die plate having a central aperture for receiving the free edges of the tam material, and a cup-shaped die plate for receiving the said die plate and flexible plate.

4:. A device of the class described, comprising a stationary cup-shaped die with a surrounding fiange having slots, a movable die plate with spring supporting lugs 'engageable in the said slots, springs attached on the lugs and on a spring holding plate, said holding plate being arranged for assuming various fixed [positions for tensioning the springs.

5. device of the class described, comprising a stationary cup-shaped die with a surrounding flange having slots, a movable die plate with spring supporting lugs engageable in the said slots, springs attached on the lugs and on a spring holding plate, a foot pedal connected for moving the holding plate, and a means for holding the foot pedal in various positions.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a stationary cup-shaped die with a surrounding flange having slots, a movable die plate with spring supporting lugs engageable in the said slots, springs attached on the lugs and on a spring holding plate, a foot pedal connected for moving the holding plate, and a means for holding the foot pedal in various positions, consisting of posts with projecting hooks, on opposite sides of the foot pedal.

7. The method of producing tam-oshanters or the like from a sheet of material, comprising the steps of folding the outer portions of the material inwardly toward its center and holding the marginal edge of the folded material against contraction, pulling the free inner end of the material inwardly from the marginal edge, and subjecting the folded material to the action of pressure in the presence of heat and moisture.

8. A machine for making tam-o-shanters or the like, comprising a lower die having a 'base and an upstanding flange defining the effective area-of the base, an upper die for movement within the flange of the lower die and having an opening extending therethrough and spaced from its outer marginal edge, a separate shaping element adapted for insertion within the flange of the lower 'die and adapted to have the material of the article folded over the same and serving to hold the marginal edge of the material against contraction, the opening in the upper die aflording access to the free inner end of the material whereby it may be pulled inwardly from the marginal edge, means to effect a relative closing movement between the dies, and means to heat one die.

9. A machine for making tam-o-shanters or the like, comprising a lower die having a substantially fiat face and an upstanding flange at its outer edge, an upper die for movement within the flange of the lower die and having an opening extending therethrough and spaced from its marginal edge, a separate shaping element adapted for insertion within the flange of the lower die and adapted to have the material of the article folded over the same and serving to hold the marginal edge of the material against contraction, the opening in the upper die affording access to the free inner end of the material whereby it may be pulled inwardly from the marginal edge, means to effect a relative closing movement between the dies, and means to heat one die.

10. A machine for making tam-o-shanters or the like, comprising a lower female die having a recess to bodily receive the article bein formed, an upper male die to enter the fimale die and having an opening formed therethrough which is spaced from its marginal edge, a separate shaping element for insertion within the female die and adapted to have the material of the article folded over the same to define the marginal edge of the article, the opening in the male die affording access to the free inner edge of such material for pulling action, means to effect a relative closing movement between the dies and means to heat one die.

11. In a machine for making tam-oshanters or the like, a lower die, an upper die for co-action therewith and having an opening formed therethrough andspaced from-its marginal edge, a shaping element to be removably mounted between said dies and VICTOR P. WRITER.

adapted to have the material of the article 20 

